Wire-stretcher



(No Model.)

I W. O. OARDWELL.

WIRE STRETCHER.

N0. 543,290. Patented July 23,1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. CARDVVELL, OF RICE, TEXAS.

WlRE-STRETCH ER.

SPECIFICATION- forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,290, dated. July 23,1895.

Application filed April 2, 1895. Serial No. 544,165. 4 (No model.)

- in" Hand Implements for Constructing Wire Fencing, of which the following is a specification. Y

This invention has for its objects to provide a novel, simple, economical, and effective hand implement or tool particularly designed for use in the construction of wire fencesas, for example, stretching the wires as they are being strung from post to post, taking up slack after the wires are strung, and drawing staples; to provide a new and improved combination implement or tool of such construction that quick short pulls can be exerted on the fence-wires by utilizing the fence-post as the fulcrum for theimplement or tool in using the latter as a lever'to stretch the wires longitudinally from post to post, and'to provide a simple hand implement or tool by which a single person can rapidly string the fencewires from post to post, stretch the wires, and kink or twist the same to take up slack.

To accomplish all these objects my invention consists in the features of construction and the combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed,.reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved hand implement or tool; and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, showing the manner 1n whichit is placed against a fence-post to utilize the latter as a fulcrum in stretching the fence-wires.

' In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the same in detail, referring to the drawings, wherein- The numeral 1 indicates a cylindrical shan having at one end a bifurcated head or claw 2, and at the opposite end lateral arms 3 and 4 of different length and projecting in opposite directions. The outer edges of the arms 4 and 5 are curved in such manner that the instrument is adapted to rest uniformly against a cylindrical fence-post, but the construction is such that if the post is square or any-other shape in cross-section the arms 3 and 4 can rest upon the post for the purpose of stretchparts are of metal, although they may be of a any'material suliiciently strong for the purpose in hand. The shank is also formed integral at a point between the claw and arm 4, with a pair of laterally-projecting ears or lugs 5, between which a swinging stretcherarm 6 is pivotally mounted through the medium of a pivot-pin 7. The outer end of the pivoted stretcher-arm is constructed with a fixed jaw 8,-having a curved acting-face 9, against which a fence-wire is adapted to be gripped through the medium of a pawl 10,

pivoted to the arm 6 by a pivot-pin 12.- The acting end of the pawl is curved and serrated, as at 13, in such manner that if a portion of a fence-wire is inserted between the curved face 5 9 of the fixed jaw 8 and the serrated face 13 of the pivotedpawl 10 the wire is gripped and can be stretched by placing the curved arms 4 and 5 of the shank 1 against a fencepost and swinging the shank in the arc of a circle, thereby utilizing the fence-post as a fulcrum in the use of the implement as a lever for stretching the wire longitudinally. The stretcher-arm 6 is curved downward, as

at 14, for the purpose of placing the rigid jaw 8 of the stretcher-arm ina plane below the arm 4 of the shank 1, so that when the lever is swung on the fence-post as a fulcrum the outer end portion of the stretcherarm can be caused to pass beneath the curved arm 4 of the shank, and thus cause the stretched wire tolie directly against the outer face of the fence-post, as will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 2. The wire can then be secured to the fen.cepost by staples or other similar fastening devices. By this means the fence-wirescan be strung from post to post, and prior to being stapled, nailed, or similarly secured thereto the wires can be stretched longitudinally to give them the desired tension.

The outer extremity ofthe curved arm 3 is formed with a slot 15, which is designed to be used for kinking or twisting the fence wire. In order to kink or twist a wire it is only necessaryto insert the wire into the slotted end of the arm 3 and then swing the shank, the implement, or tool in the arc of a ICC circle to kink the wire, or one or more complete revolutions of the implement will twist the wire to the desired extent, for the purpose of taking up slack in fence-wires strung on posts.

The bifurcated head or claw 2 is useful for drawing staples, nails, and similar fastening devices. To draw a staple it is only necessary to place the bifurcated head or claw over the staple, force it behind the fence-wire, and then swing the implement, when the staple will be extracted. v

The implement or tool described and shown is simple and economical in construction, and owing to the ease with which it can be manipulated, it is possible for a single person to rapidly string fence-wires from post to post, stretch the wires longitudinally to give the required tension between fence-posts, and to kink or twist the wire at any time for the purpose of taking up slack.

The peculiar construction of the implement or tool enables it to be placed against a fencepost so that the latter constitutes a fulcrum in the use of the implement or tool as alever for stretching the fence-wires. The construction is such that quick short pulls can be exerted on the fence-wires, and it is entirely unnecessary to brace the fence-post, which is used as the-fulcrum for the implement or tool in using the latter as a lever to stretch the wires.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings I have shown the implement as applied in use with a substantially round post, but it will of course be evident that it can be used with equal facility upon a post of any other contour.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A hand-implement or tool for constructing wire-fencing, consisting of a shank having at one end a bifurcated head or claw, and at the opposite end laterally projecting arms,

one of which is slotted to serve as a wirekinker or twister, said shank being provided between the bifurcated head or claw and the lateral heads with projecting ears or lugs, and a stretcher-arm pivoted to said ears or lugs, curved downward to pass under one of the lateral arms of the shank, and having at its outer, un pivoted end a fixed jaw and a pivoted pawl for gripping a fence-wire, substantially as described.

2. Ahand-implement for constructing wirefencing, consisting of a shank having at one end oppositely projecting arms 3 and 4 constructed of different length and curved between their extremities, one of the arms being slotted at its outer extremity to form a wire kinker or twister, and the other arm adapted to lie against a fence post, and a. stretcherarm pivoted to said shank, curved downward to pass beneath one of the arms of the shank, and provided at its outer, unpivoted end with a rigid head and a pivoted pawl for gripping a'fence-wire, substantially as described.

3. A hand implement for constructing wire fencing, consisting of a shank provided intermediate its ends, with a bifurcated ear or lug, a downwardly curved stretcher-arm pivoted to said lug, and having its end bent in angular form, apawl pivoted to the stretcherarm and having its free end acting within said bent portion, and two oppositely projecting arms arranged upon one end of the shank, the outer edges of said arms being curved in such manner that the instrument is adapted to'rest uniformly against a cylindrical fence-post, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM C. OARDWELL. Witnesses:

A. C. HERVEY, J NO. A. THOMPSON. 

